Ganado Texas History:
Ganado is the second largest town in Jackson County. The initial community was named Mustang Settlement and consisted of a number of cabins belonging to men working in the cattle ranching business. Early settlers John Menefee and Jim MCFarland drove their herds to New Orleans over the Old Spanish Trail or to Kansas City. In 1881-1882 the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad built a line through the area and built a train station. Because of the large number of cattle in the area, the station was named Ganado, the Spanish word for herd. The Ganado post office was established the next year. Jim McFarland moved his general store from its location on McFarland Creek to the train station. After McFarland’s death, Thomas Babcock purchased the store which became known as the Old Texas House. Babcock built the town’s first residence and cotton gin. In 1891 Scandinavian farmers purchased land in the area. Today rice cultivation is a major area industry. A distinguishing feature of the town is the gigantic old Rice Belt Factory. Ganado is located on the northern shore of Lake Texana on SH 59, nine miles northeast of Edna, approximately 20 miles northwest of Midfield, 32 miles northeast of Victoria, and 38 miles northeast of Port Lavaca, Texas.

El Maton National (Dance) Hall and Tavern, Elmaton, TX:
This is one of the oldest dance halls in Texas. It offers live music, cold beer and dancing. It is available for private functions. Open Fri-Sat, 5pm-Midnight. The dance hall hosts an annual St. Patrick’s Day BBQ cook-off with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. (979) 479-5456. (979) 240-5858. The hall is located south of SH 35 at the intersection of FM 1095 and CR 432, approximately 2 miles east of Blessing, 10 miles southwest of Bay City, and 24 miles south of El Campo, Texas at 565 FM 1095, Elmaton, Texas 77440. EmailElmaton Area MapElmaton Map; Click to Enlarge

Ganado Cinema, 1941:
The movie theater is the only one in the area. The theater features a state-of-art sound system. Movies are shown Sun-Thu, 7pm; Fri-Sat, 7pm and 9pm. In 2012 tickets were $5 for adults and $3.50 for children. Most movies are booked based on availability. Email or call the theater to request a specific movie. (361) 771-2164. 120 South 3rd Street, Ganado, 77962.

Annual Houston Rodeo Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride, Hidalgo to Houston, 386 Miles, Feb:
This 386 mile trail ride was established in 1973. In 2015, the ride began on Saturday, February 7 in Reynosa Mexico, at the Texas/Mexico border crossing into Hidalgo, Texas. There were 45 riders and 5 wagons. Saturday night (21 Feb) was spent at the Edna Fairgrounds. Sunday night (Feb 22) was spent in Louise (exit Business U.S. 59 North Co-Op). Monday night (Feb 23) was spent in Pierce, in the lot adjacent to the DPS/U.S. 59. On Tuesday (Feb 24), the wagon train took U.S. 59 to Kendleton. They turned west and went towards the rodeo grounds to the Kendleton Park picnic area. On Wednesday (Feb 25), the wagon train took U.S. 59, 4 to 5 miles to the FM 529 caution light where they went left over the freeway, took the Spur to U.S. 90A, went through Rosenberg and Richmond, and then spent the night at Richmond. Total Wednesday distance was 19 miles. On Thursday (Feb 26) the train took U.S. 59 through Sugar Land and Stafford to Chimney Rock. Thursday night was spent at Westbury Little League Park (5300 Dryad Street, Houston). (832) 426-0580. (936) 200-0106. (281) 212-7092. Facebook

Annual Holiday Express Train, Kansas City Southern Railroad, Nov-Dec:
This is an absolutely fabulous train. I sincerely hope the Kansas City Southern Railroad does not cancel this annual Christmas train run. The Holiday Express was created in 2001 after volunteers dedicated over 8,000 hours to the rigorous transformation of the retired freight train. The train was built on the tradition of the former Gateway Western (GWWR) Santa Train, which made stops in small towns from East St. Louis, Ill. to Blue Springs, Mo. (GWWR was purchased by KCS in 1997.) In 2000, KCS employees noticed that the Santa Train was the only Christmas some kids had, and that some did not have essential items such as coats, hats and gloves. The employees were so touched that they committed to elevating the project to the experience that communities throughout KCSR's service area enjoy today." The Holiday Express train distributes gift cards to the Salvation Army to provide warm clothing and other necessities for children in need at stops along the Holiday Express route. Donations are accepted. The six-car train with Santa Claus and his elves makes stops in 25 or more communities in seven U.S. states. Access to the train is free and open to the public. Led by KCS’ Southern Belle business train, the Holiday Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flat car carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a gingerbread box car; the elves’ workshop; the reindeer’s stable; and a little red caboose. New in 2010 was the addition of a G-gauge Holiday Express model train that will run around the flat car during Holiday Express stops. The route varies slightly each year. The 2015 Holiday Express Schedule includes the Texas Cities of Beaumont (28 November at KCS Yard, 4095 South Martin Luther King Parkway), Beasley near Kendleton (29 November at KCS Intermodal Shipper Facility), El Campo (Evans Park on 30 November at 112 East Monseratte Street), Victoria (on 1 December at U.S. Business 59 at Burroughsville Road), Ganado (2 December at U.S. Business 59 at FM 172), and the Wharton depot at 100 North Sunset Street. It will also stop at Shreveport, Louisiana on 4 December at the KCS yard, 4500 North Lake Shore Drive, Gate 5, 71107. Shreveport is located 45 miles southeast of Jefferson, Texas, 42 miles east of Marshall, Texas, approximately 36 miles southeast of Uncertain and Karnack, Texas, and 22 miles slightly northeast of Waskom, Texas. (816) 983-1372. (816) 983-1668.

Mustang Creek Bar-B-Que:
They serve very good barbeque. (979) 648-2600. The restaurant is located at 33574 U.S. 59, between Ganado and Louise, Texas.Reviews

Ganado Cafe:
Owners Clinton and Lori Tegeler serve a good selection of comfort foods, including great hamburgers on homemade buns, salads, and sandwiches, chicken fried steak (on Wednesday), breakfast and desserts. Open Mon-Wed, 6am-4pm; Thu-Sat, 6am-9pm. (361) 771-3320. The café is located at 118 South 3rd Street, adjacent to the Ganado Theater. Reviews

Mosquito Information:
The months of April through October are the worst months for mosquitoes. Rub yourself with Bounce Fabric Softener sheets, or with Vicks Vapor Rub or pure Mexican Vanilla. Some swear taking a daily vitamin B-1 pill works to repel mosquitoes. Mosquitoes love you when you eat bananas. Mosquitoes are also attracted to some perfumes, including perfumed shampoos. Planting Marigolds in your yard repels mosquitoes. On a picnic table try covering the bottom of a white plate with “lemon fresh” dish wash soap, or use citronella candles. Home Depot sometimes sells the candles in small metal buckets. The ThermaCell Mosquito Repellant is also quite effective in ridding small outdoor areas of mosquitos. Dynatrap Company makes a large standing electric mosquito machine that works like electric bug zappers. It is very successful at making large areas mosquito free. When purchasing mosquito repellent buy those with the ingredient N, N-diethyl-M-toluamide. The fine net clothing available from Cabela’s and other sporting goods stores is highly effective in preventing mosquito bites.

Mustang Creek Recreation Area, #019, on the Texana Birding Loop, Ganado TX:
This rarely visited wooded area has a variety of eastern woodland birds. The bird checklist is almost identical to the Lake Texana State Park list. Wilderness camping is allowed. From Ganado, go west on Loop 522 West to FM 2982 South. Go left (south) on FM 2982 to CR 249. Go left (east) on CR 249 and drive to the entrance of the recreation area.

Navidad River:
The Navidad River rises at the confluence of the East and West Navidad Rivers and Middle Creek two miles east of Schulenburg. It flows southeast for seventy-four miles to its mouth on the Lavaca River below Lake Texana in southernJackson County. The East Navidad River rises north of Freyburg in southern Fayette County and flows nineteen miles east and south to join the West Navidad River just northwest of Oakland in northeastern Lavaca County. The west branch rises south of Farm Road 609 and east of Muldoon, Texas in southern Fayette County and flows south and east for twenty miles to its junction with the east branch. Middle Creek rises between the two branches southeast of Freyburg near the junction of Farm Roads 956 and 2672, in southern Fayette County, and flows eight miles before joining the East Navidad near the Southern Pacific Railroad line southwest of Weimar. After the three branches unite, the Navidad River meanders southeast through the coastal plains, largely parallel to the Lavaca River, across eastern Lavaca and central Jackson Counties, to form Lake Texana seven miles east of Edna. The remains of an old steamer are located at the junction of the Navidad and the Lavaca rivers. The upper reaches of the Navidad are narrow and often filled with log jams. The river is not spring-fed and depends on runoff for its flow, giving it limited recreational use except in periods of heavy rainfall. The Lavaca and Navidad Rivers are managed by the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority.

U.S. 59 Navidad River Boat Ramp:
Amenities include a 2 lane improved boat ramp. Open year round; no fees apply. The ramp is operated by the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority. (361) 782-5456. The ramp is located 5 miles northeast of Edna on U.S. 59.

Lake Texana Information:
Construction on the Lake Texana Palmetto Bend Dam and spillway on the Navidad River began in 1973. Because of legal challenges the dam was not completed until May, 1980. The lake and recreation areas opened to the public in 1981. The 9,272 surface acre lake has 125 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 58 feet. The lake was named after the town of Texana, established in 1832 near the junction of the Navidad and Lavaca rivers. Texana was inundated when the lake was impounded. The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority manages the lake and over 7,000 acres of land around the lake. This authority owns the Brackenridge Plantation Park, Campground and Lake Texana Marina, the Mustang Primitive Campground, eight public boat ramps, and three fishing areas. These facilities were leased to the Gulf Bend Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center in June, 1990. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manages the Lake Texana State Park. The lake is located on U.S. 59, 8 miles east of Edna. For more complete lake information, go to the Lake Texana Home Page. Lake Texana Location MapCurrent Lake LevelTPWD Public Access Facilities Map

Texana Park & Campground, Formerly Lake Texana State Park:In 2013, Lake Texana State Park management was transferred to the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority and the park was renamed “Texana Park & Campground.” This 575 acre park is located on the shores of Lake Texana, a reservoir on the Navidad River. It is No. 020 on the Texana Birding Loop. Habitat consists of mixed oak and pecan woodlands. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, rabbits, armadillos and raccoons, and occasional sightings of bobcat and turkey. Alligators are found in the park coves. The 9,272 surface acre Lake Texana has 125 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 58 feet. The lake was named for Texana, Texas, founded in 1832, and later flooded when the dam creating Lake Texana was built. The park is located 46 Park Road 1, approximately 7 miles east of Edna, Texas. (361) 782-5718. The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority is located at 4631 FM 3131, Edna, Texas 77957. For more information, go to the Edna, Texas Home Page and Click on Outdoors. Email

Mustang Wilderness Campgrounds, Ganado, TX:
This 250 acre park has a wooded shoreline. Park amenities include 29 primitive campsites with fire rings, a parking lot and a boat ramp. Vehicles are prohibited in the park. There are no reservations. The park is owned and operated by the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority. (361) 782-5456. From Edna, take U.S. 59 East 8 miles to Ganado. Take Loop 521 for one mile, then take FM 2982 2.2 miles to CR 249. Drive 0.5 miles to the entrance.Campground Map

Devers Creek Park, 575 Acres, Lake Texana:
Amenities at this day use park include a reservable picnic pavilion, picnic tables and BBQ grills, two playgrounds, an exercise station, two fishing piers, two nature trails, a covered basketball pavilion, softball and baseball fields and parking. The picnic pavilion features restrooms and a kitchen. The park is owned by the Ganado ISD. (361) 771-2232. The park is located on Lake Texana, adjacent to the Indian Stadium and Indian Field at the intersection of East Devers Avenue and 7th Street.

Learn to Camp at Texas Parks & Wildlife State Parks' Outdoor Family Camping Workshops:
Theseworkshops are family camping sessions designed to teach camping skills to those who do not know how to camp; everything is provided from tent to broom. Gear includes a coffee pot, dishes, cooking pots, a camp stove, a battery operated fan and lantern, air mattresses, and a tent. Basic skills taught include pitching a tent, making a campfire, cooking on a propane camp stove, geocaching and using a GPS. Wildlife viewing, fishing and kayaking are available depending on the park and its facilities. After making reservations, families will be sent a packet of information which includes a grocery list. Those interested in this program may sign up for E-Mail Updates on Currently Scheduled Workshops. (512) 389-8903. Calendar

Hunt Texas Online Connection:
More than 95% of Texas land is privately owned, making it hard for hunters to find affordable hunting opportunities. The Texas Parks and Wildlife has a huge public hunting program, and has developed a new service to help hunters find hunting places. This new service is provided free by the TPWD. It allows landowners to list available hunting leases or spots that have opened up, and allows hunters to find private hunting leases according to their preferences.